The Delhi Police has formally rejected claims of excessive force during a large protest held on July 20, which saw clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. In a common affidavit filed with the Supreme Court, the police asserted that the force used was "graded" and proportionate to the situation, which escalated after protesters breached barricades.
Police Cite Crowd Size, Escalation
According to the affidavit, over 30,000 protesters gathered for the demonstration, reportedly led by the Cockroach Janta Party, against the NEET paper leak. The massive crowd, spread across approximately three kilometers, complicated crowd control efforts, even with around 5,000 police personnel deployed. Police maintained that while the protest began peacefully, the situation changed dramatically once barricades were breached, making the crowd difficult to manage.
The police report also detailed injuries on both sides, with more than 240 police personnel and around 200 protesters sustaining injuries during the clashes. The affidavit further claimed that "anti-social elements and history-sheeters" had infiltrated the protest, contributing to the heightened tensions.
Minister Rejects Brutality Claims
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju publicly denied allegations of police brutality, stating that police actions were peaceful despite the presence of "criminals" among the students. Rijiju questioned claims of gunfire, emphasizing that no deaths or serious injuries occurred. He also asserted that "not one" lathi (baton) was used until protesters began marching towards Parliament, praising the police for their handling of the situation.
Allegations and Parliamentary Scrutiny Persist
Despite the police's denials, allegations of lathi-charge, tear gas, and the use of pellet guns have continued to surface. Visuals from the day reportedly showed police using batons, and several media outlets and opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have claimed pellet guns were deployed. Although an internal inquiry reportedly indicated that some Rapid Action Force personnel were issued pellet guns, they were later said to have been withdrawn. However, at least five individuals claimed to have been hit by pellets.
The alleged police actions have become a recurring point of contention in Parliament, with the Opposition demanding a statement from the Union Home Minister. Rahul Gandhi notably presented a student who allegedly suffered an eye injury from a pellet gun, challenging the government's denial of their use. As the Delhi Police stands by its account before the Supreme Court, the response to the July 20 protest remains a subject of intense scrutiny.